Kegel, owner of Milwaukee’s Wheel & Sprocket chain, is the board president of the National Bicycle Dealers Association, and has been active in most major industry groups, including PeopleForBikes. Kegel’s son, Noel, was at the breakfast.

“A very good friend of our industry right now is fighting a tough battle,” Interbike’s Pat Hus told the breakfast attendees. “Chris is truly one of the class acts of this industry … He’s done more advocating for cycling than anyone I know.”

The assembled group of about 750 people raised a toast to Kegel, which was streamed live on Facebook as Kegel watched from his hospital.

Supporters also distributed green wristbands printed with #kegelstrong and Kegel’s motto: “Live life, Ride.” The NBDA has giant “Get Well” cards in its booth that friends are signing throughout the show.

After feeling ill last week and losing weight for several weeks, Kegel had surgery on his liver Saturday. According to a website maintained by Kegel’s family, chriskegel.com, he was diagnosed Monday with Cholangiocarcinoma, a …read more